Speak Social recently sent me to NYC for Fashion Week. While I was there, I had the opportunity to sit down with Edie Henry, Fashion & Personal Wardrobe Stylist as well as Style Editor for Austin Lifestyle Magazine.

Edie has over 19 years of experience in the fashion industry, from retail sales and management, visual merchandising, buying, and coordinating / facilitating fashion shows. She is a stylist, as well as art director / set designer for fashion, commercial and editorial photo shoots, and consultant on model portfolio development. She also styles individuals for special events, completes personal shopping, wardrobe consultation and closet assessment and coordination – for more information visit www.edithhenry.com.

I know from experience that you are a creative woman with many skills in a variety of fields. Tell us a bit about your professional journey from L.A. to Austin. What are some of the careers you’ve had, and what are you doing now?

I relocated to Austin from southern California in 2009 with my husband and our two dogs (we now have three!). We wanted a different pace, more ‘space’ and basically, more for our money!In my 15 years in California, I worked as an Interior Designer (which is what my degree is in), a part-time lifestyle model, and an actor (or as I like to say, a professional auditioner!). Although I did land a few small parts! Acting is a TOUGH gig!When I decided to no longer pursue acting, but still stay in that industry, I became a certified makeup artist. I did makeup for a little while, and one day ‘dressed’ a model in some of MY clothes and accessories for her photo shoot. And like they say, the rest is history!My ‘passion for fashion’ was relit, and STYLING became my main focus. Throughout my high school years I worked at a local clothing boutique, and spent 10 years in the fashion/ retail industry. I’ve been in sales, management, visual merchandising, and been a buyer!Today, I am mainly a full-time Fashion/Personal Stylist. I am self-employed; however, I’m represented by The Campbell Agency in Dallas. As a stylist, I acquire the wardrobe / accessories, and dress models for commercial/editorial photo shoots, ad campaigns, and even their model portfolios. I have been an art director and set stylist as well.For my personal styling clients, I do wardrobe assessment, closet coordination, personal shopping and ensemble inventory. Occasionally I pull out my makeup brushes, and paint faces!Currently, I am the Style Editor for Austin Lifestyle Magazine. I am responsible for the fashion / style pages of the magazine and blog!

Was this your first time at New York Fashion Week? How was your overall experience? Which shows did you attend?

This was my first opportunity to experience Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC! I was thrilled to have been given credentials based on my work as a freelance stylist. My experience was awesome! I was even a bit overwhelmed at times. The styles and shows were INCREDIBLE and the venues were lovely. I could have done without the snow … but I’d take it again!I attended many shows, some of which included KALEN, Jill Stuart, Tadashi Shoji, Venexiana, Ruffian, Joseph Abboud, Falguni and Shane Peacock, and VanTan Tokyo. They were ALL incredible in their own right.I had the pleasure of meeting up with some fellow Austinites while there as well, some photographers, some bloggers and some models! I was even able to bring a friend of mine along … who is not in the industry, but equally fascinated with it!In addition to seeing some FABULOUS and inspiring creations, I made some new friends and connections!

Tell me about some stand-out moments from your favorite shows.

I LOVED IT ALL … and ALL the shows I mentioned had stand-out moments and pieces to me! I really loved the entire Tadashi Shoji runway set and music! It was all ‘just enough’ to compliment the designs but not take away from them!Joseph Abboud had THE coolest venue / set I experienced. He showed in a warehouse at PIER 57. SO memorable!I adored the KALEN presentation. I enjoyed being able to go right up to the models and REALLY take in the details of the fabric and workmanship. Her tailoring is IMMPECCABLE!Ruffian … I adored ALL of it! I LOVED the styling and hair of the models … and the bright jewel tone colors shown in addition to neutrals and blacks. BEAUTIFUL coats too…and AMAZING tailoring!Jill Stuart showed a warm rich sophisticated chic line! Rich with eggplant and burgundy colors mixed with pinks. Very pretty.The GENIUS TALENT that was shown by the Vantan Tokyo students show…was mesmerizing- wow! Forces in the fashion world to be reckoned with, for sure!!!Lastly … the Venexiana and Falguni & Shane Peacock shows … OH MY GOSH! Elegance, glamour, couture and formal BRILLIANCE were displayed! Even some slightly outrageous designs that I can DEFINITELY see walking the red carpet! I was blown away with their shows.

As both a stylist and a fashion editor, give us some insight. What trends did you see on the street? Based on the shows, what trends do you predict for Fall 2012?

On the streets, keeping in mind it was Feb. in NY … I saw a lot of boots and scarves! Seriously, on the streets, that is REALLY about all I saw. I did see great mixing and matching of prints and textures. I saw some lovely coats. I can’t IMAGINE boots not being HUGE year-after-year!Some trends for fall 2012 are jewel tone colors such as emerald green, royal blue, fuchsia and deep ruby red. Also wine, burgundy and RICH gold, and of COURSE staples such as black, winter white and ‘nude.’ As far as silhouettes, I saw a lot of dresses and skirts, and structured pieces … paired with flowing full pieces. I noticed some cropped-pants, a few jumpsuits, and I noticed some ‘zipper’ detailing, fur embellishments and the use of layering! MOST shows had some form of leather and / or velvet mixed in … and lace. Sweet lace and racy lace! I think there are plenty of trends emerging that allow for EVERYONE to experiment with one that will suit them and allow them to express their ‘fashionista’ within!